Panama Pasama (transl. Money or Affection?) is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language drama film,[1] directed and written by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. It was released on 23 February 1968, and had a theatrical run of over 140 days. The film was remade the following year in Hindi as Paisa Ya Pyaar.[2]
| Panama Pasama | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. S. Gopalakrishnan |
| Screenplay by | K. S. Gopalakrishnan |
| Story by | G. Balasubramaniam |
| Produced by | Balu |
| Starring | Gemini Ganesan B. Saroja Devi |
| Cinematography | R. Sampath |
| Edited by | R. Devarajan |
| Music by | K. V. Mahadevan |
Production company | Ravi Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 162 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs a plot summary. (September 2021) |
Cast
edit- Lead actors
- Gemini Ganesan as Shankar
- B. Saroja Devi as Shanthi
- Nagesh as Deva
- Male supporting actors
- T. K. Bhagavathi as Nagalingam
- Sivakumar as Shankar's brother in law
- C. R. Parthiban
- K. Sarangapani as Kannamma's stepfather
- V. S. Raghavan as Shankar's father
- K. Kannan as Jambu
- Samikkannu as Mesthri
- Female supporting actors
- S. Varalakshmi as Meenakshi
- Vijaya Nirmala as Kannamma aka Baby
- Sundari Bai
- Pushpalatha as Shankar's sister
- G. Sakunthala
- Radhabhai
Production
editSrividya was initially chosen for the role which was portrayed by Vijaya Nirmala.[3] Sivakumar was cast in a major role, although the majority of his scenes did not make the final cut.[4]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[5] The song "Yelantha Pazham" became controversial due to its perceived erotic or vulgar lyrics,[6][7] but became popular among the masses.[8][9]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Chinnanchiru Veedu" | P. Susheela | 3:32 |
| "Maariyadhu Nenjam" | P. Susheela | 4:15 |
| "Mella Mella" | T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela | 4:18 |
| "Vazhaithandu Pola" | K. Jamuna Rani, A. L. Raghavan | 3:01 |
| "Yelantha Pazham" | L. R. Eswari | 3:20 |
Release and reception
editPanama Pasama was released on 23 February 1968.[10] Kalki negatively reviewed the film, criticising Gopalakrishnan's dialogues and direction.[11] Ananda Vikatan said that though the concept was old, the way it was handled was innovative. The critic concluded that the film had few flaws, and was another testament to Gopalakrishnan's talent.[12] The film became Gopalakrishnan's biggest success to that point;[1] it ran for 140 days at Madurai's Thangam Theatre, then the largest theatre in Asia.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b Guy, Randor (27 July 1991). "Panama Pasama: Dialogue-based KSG film". The Indian Express. p. 19. Retrieved 12 July 2022 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "The Ice is Nice". The Indian Express. 9 May 1970. p. 10. Retrieved 9 June 2018 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "ஏற்றங்கள்; எதிர்பார்ப்புகள்; ஏமாற்றங்கள்!". Kalki (in Tamil). 5 October 1980. p. 6. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Prasad, Arun (24 January 2023). "இது சிவக்குமார் ஹீரோவா நடிச்ச படம்… ஆனால் எங்க தேடுனாலும் அவர் இருக்கமாட்டாரு… ஏன் தெரியுமா??". CineReporters (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Panama Paasama (1968)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Chellappa (20 December 2021). "O Solriya Mama is just a men's song. What's the fuss?". Inmathi. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ Nathan, Archana (25 November 2017). "Chili nose, Nokia eyes and other bizarre ways in which Tamil film song lyrics objectify women". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (21 February 2014). "Rocking at 74". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Yamunan, Sruthisagar (14 December 2015). "'Beep' song caught in controversy". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Panama Pasama". The Indian Express. 23 February 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "பணமா பாசமா". Kalki (in Tamil). 17 March 1968. p. 25. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "சினிமா விமர்சனம்: பணமா பாசமா". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 17 March 1968. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "Curtains come down on Thangam theatre, once Asia's largest". Firstpost. Press Trust of India. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ "'பணமா பாசமா' திரைப்படத்தில் இடம்பெற்ற உணர்வுப்பூர்வமான காட்சி குறித்துப் பகிரும் கலைஞானம்!". Nakkheeran (in Tamil). 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
